Timeline1996:Illinois YouthBuild Coalition, Inc. forms. 1997:IYBC advocates for the passage of the Illinois YouthBuild Act by the General Assembly, creating a statewide mechanism for launching and funding programs.1998:YouthBuild is placed under the Illinois Department of Human Services. Four of the state's programs receive a combined $300,000 in funding.June 2001:TheIYBC becomes the first state coalition to incorporate itself as a nonprofit organization.June 12, 2001: IYBC holds its first state-wide youth conference. Over 100 people attended, including keynote speaker Ass't. Secretary of Labor Ray Bramucci. July 19, 2001: IYBC holds its first corporate meeting at the newly-opened Chicago office.November 2001: The coalition receives a $40,000 grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation to help fund the Coalition's operations and hire a full-time development director.February 2002: IYBC holds a legislative reception in Springfield to familiarize legislators with the program.May 2002: Dianne Richardson is hired as the full-time Development Director.January 2003: Second statewide youth conference.June 2003: IYBC hosts a statewide workshop, with the title theme of Practices and Policies That Pay Off, in collaboration with the Annie Casey Foundation, the National Youth Employment Coalition, the Illinois State Youth Council, and the Grand Victoria Foundation. The workshop examined promising approaches to workforce development and transition of youth in the juvenile justice system. May 2004: Third statewide youth conference.2007: An amendment in the Illinois YouthBuild Act makes YouthBuild programs mandatory and subject to appropriation. July 2008: IYBC celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a gathering in Chicago.2009-2011:The annual Steel Industry Golf Outingprovides the IYBC with major funding support.2010-present:Partnership with the Illinois Chapter of the U.S.Green Building Council (USGBC), provides YouthBuild students and staff with a $35,000 grant for Green Professional Building Skills (GPRO) Training as well as access to the USGBC's Greenbuild International Expo.2010-2011:The IYBC is awarded two full time AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to assist with special projects and capacity building.2011:TheIllinois Department of Juvenile Justice expresses interest in partnering with YouthBuild and the IYBC for re-entry of offenders.October 2011:$400,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Weatherization Grant provides training for 84 individuals in weatherization techniques.

The Future

_Despite losing state funding a few years ago, the YouthBuild programs in Illinois and nationwide have always enjoyed the support of state lawmakers and officials, who see it as one of the premier programs serving out-of-school youth. Encouragingly, the demand for new programs has consistently increased since 1997, with many communities looking to start programs but lacking the funds to do so. The IYBC will continue advocating for youth-serving organizations in the effort to bring state funding back to its programs.